STEGNER, DeWAYNE HUBBARD November 8, 1918 to April 13,2008 DeWayne Hubbard (Ted) Stegner
passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on April 13th, at the Coronado Villa care
facility. Ted was the only child of retired Army Major DeWayne Oswald Stegner and his
wife, Gladys Hubbard Stegner and he was born November 8, 1918, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
His father moved the family to Downey, California when Ted was a youngster and that is
where he grew up. At the start of World War II, Ted enlisted in the United States Navy,
went to Officer Candi-dates School and then flight school and was pleased to have been
presented with his wings as a Naval Aviator on the same day that he married his
sweetheart, Maxine Emerick, in Corpus Christi, Texas. During the war, Ted served as the
pilot of a dive bomber in Squadron VB-5 and saw repeated action in the South Pacific
Theater against the Japanese sea and air forces . In March of 1945, he was the last
pilot to fly his plane off the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV13) before the carrier
was hit by a torpedo during an engagement off the coast of Japan. Ted was also a naval
aviator during the Korean War and flew C-130 cargo planes during the Vietnam War and
retired in 1969 as a Commander after 29 years of service in the Navy. After his military
retirement, he attended City College and San Diego State University to obtain his
Master’s degree in Education and taught social studies, history and mathematics at
Montgomery Junior High School in Otay Mesa for many years. A loving husband to his wife,
Maxine, and a devoted father to his sons, DeWayne and David Stegner of San Diego, Ted
will be deeply missed by them and by all of his friends and students who had the
privilege and honor to have known this remarkable man. Funeral Service is at 11 a.m.,
Saturday, April 19th, at Community Mortuary, 855 Broadway in Chula Vista.
Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 4/18/2008.

http://www.legacy.com/SignOnSanDiego/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=107856236

Victor Spataro
World War II veteran
Victor J. Spataro, 83, of Wilkins, formerly of Penn Hills, died May 9, 2007.

A World War II Navy veteran who served aboard USS Franklin in the Philippines, Mr. Spataro was a retired employee of General Tire and Rubber in Pittsburgh.

Surviving are his wife, Dorothy (Collinger) Spataro; children, Valerie Lang of Pleasant Hills, John Spataro of Martinsburg, W.Va., and Michael Spataro of Oakdale; and six grandchildren.

There was no visitation. Mass was celebrated in St. Colman Church. Interment with military honors was at Good Shepherd Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Patrick T. Lanigan Funer-al Home, Turtle Creek.

http://www.gatewaynewspapers.com/timesexpress/obits/79049/

Russell Leonard Smith, Capt. USN, Ret. 84 died at Kent County Hospital on February 13, 2007 after a period of failing health. He was born in Whitman, Ma. October 22, 1922. He was the son of the late Arthur L. Smith and Delia May (Rose) Smith. His wife, Moree (Bosscher) Smith predeceased him on August 2004.
Russell graduated from West Springfield High School in Ma. and Brown University. He enlisted in the US Navy in Sept. 1942 as a Naval Aviation Cadet and became a Torpedo Bomber Pilot. He served in the Pacific during WWII and was a survivor of the bombing of the USS Franklin in the Sea of Japan, receiving the Asiatic/Pacific Medal with Battle Star for his service there. He also was the recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal, among others. While serving on another ship, he aided in the recovery of several astronauts including the very first Mercury recovery of Alan Shephard. He was transferred to the USS Kersarge where he also aided in the pickup of Col. Gordon Cooper and Capt. Conrad. He later served two tours of duty at the Pentagon, and also became the Commanding Officer of NAS South Weymouth from which he retired after 30 years in the US Navy. He was a life member of TROA (Military Officer) and DeMolay.
Both of his brothers, Robert Smith and Arthur Smith predeceased him, He leaves his sisters- in-law Dorothy Smith of Agawam, MA and Margery Smith of Ludlow, Ma., He also leaves a niece, Darlene Spencer of Agawam,. and nephews, Robert R. Smith, of Easthampton, Ma, Donald A. Smith of Zelienople, Pa., Russell Smith of Gales Ferry, Ct, Bryan Smith of Nashua, NH, Alan Smith of Silverdale, WA, and Christopher Smith of Ludlow, Ma. His grand niece Stephanie Rocheford of Venice, Fla, grandnephews Eric Smith of Monson, Ma. and Matthew Smith of Md and his wife’s nephew Steven Gabeler of Sudbury, Ma., as well as many other nieces and nephews of his late wife’s. He will be sadly missed by all, most especially by his best friends Tina and Carl Bishop and Doris Soder of Warwick, who spent many enjoyable hours on the golf course and in each others company over the years. This feeling is also shared by Rob Gatta and family of N.Y., who were his next door neighbors for many years, and Pam and Bob Murphy, also next door neighbors.
Funeral services at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home will be Friday Feb. 23 at 12 noon with Pastor Brian Wood, from the Asbury United Methodist Church officiate. Burial with Military Honors will be at the R.I. Veteran’s Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of ones choice will be appreciated. Information and condolences at http://www.carpenterjenks.com.
http://obit.carpenterjenks.com/obit_display.cgi?id=382354&listing=All

James H. Smith II, 82
James H. Smith II, 82, of Lafayette, died at 12:50 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at Rosewalk Village.

Born in Detroit on July 1, 1925, to the late James H. and Evelyn Zimmerman Smith, he was raised in Chicago and lived there for 32 years. He also resided in Lowell for 47 years, moving to Lafayette in 2004.

A Navy veteran, he served during World War II in the Pacific on the USS Franklin and Bennington carriers.

He married Carol R. Leitelt on Oct. 5, 1957, in Chicago, and she survives.

Mr. Smith was a graduate of St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kan., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in both philosophy and sociology. He worked for the Archdiocese of Chicago in sales for 20 years, retiring in 1987.

Surviving are a son, James H. Smith III (wife: Danielle) of Worthington, Ohio; two daughters, Louise M. Smith and Kathy A. Smith, both of Lafayette; and a brother, D. Benedict Smith of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Services will be held in Lafayette at a later date.

Four grandchildren also survive, James H. IV, David, Olivia and Chandler Smith, all of Worthington. Hippensteel Funeral Home entrusted with care. Share memories and condolences online at Hippensteelfuneralhome.com
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070813/OBITS/708130309/1114/OBITS

Robert Ulysses Silfies, 77, of Tullahoma, Tenn., formerly of Allentown, died Sept. 23, 2002 in his home. He was married to Jeanette (Kleckner) Silfies for 57 years.
A graduate of Lehigh University with a degree in mechanical engineering, he was employed by AEDC, Tullahoma, from 1958 to 1988.

Born in Bath, he was a son of the late Paul H. and Helen (Fehnel) Silfies.
He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Tullahoma, and its choir and bell choir.
A Navy veteran of the Pacific Theater of World War II, he was a member of American Legion Post 43, Tullahoma.
He was a member of the American Society of Professional Engineers, Lehigh University Alumni Association, USS Franklin CV-13 Museum Association and the 704 Club.
He was a volunteer for the Senior Citizen Center, Tullahoma, delivering Meals on Wheels.
Survivors: Wife; daughters, Joan Silfies O’Neil of Harmony Township, N.J., Jean of Fayetteville, Tenn., Jane Silfies Hay of Lebanon, Tenn.; sister, Ida Derrick of Philadelphia; seven grandchildren.
Services: memorial, 11 a.m. Thursday in the church. Call 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday in the church. Arrangements, Tullahoma Funeral Home.
Contributions: To the church, Hospital Home Health & Hospice, Fayetteville, or American Cancer Society.
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/SILVIUS/2002-09/1033057456

Shires, Franklin Walter (Frank) age 82 of Farragut, formerly of Obion, TN, passed away early Friday morning, June 20, 2003 at Park West Hospital. Frank was retired from T. V. A. hydro power production. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the Navy as a fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin in the Pacific. Frank directed the Sheffield, AL, High School Band and Glee Club. He was a former Lions’ Club member. He was a 35 year member of the National Speleological Society. He enjoyed ham radio (his call letters were W4FWS) and was a grateful Friend of Bill. Survivors: wife, Phyllis Shires; daughters, Jill Shires of Chapel Hill, NC, Virginia Marcum of Silver Spring, MD; grandson, Quince Marcum of New York City, NY; sister, Lillian Morehead of Cookeville, TN. The family will receive friends from 3-4 p.m. Sunday followed by funeral services at 4 p.m. in the Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel with Rev. A. J. Crawford officiating. Family and friends will gather at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Tennessee State Veterans’ Cemetery for graveside services with full military honors conferred by the East Tennessee State Veteran Honor Guard and the U. S. Navy. Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel 11915 Kingston Pike is serving the Shires family.
http://www.clickfuneralhome.com/archives/ArcJun2003.htm

SANDIFER, JOHN SEAY
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Published: July 18, 2007
SANDIFER–John Seay, September 28, 1919 to June 29, 2007. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, he graduated from Rice University and enlisted in the Navy in 1942, as a Navel Intelligence Officer, where he saw action in both the Pacific and Atlantic campaigns. He was on the USS Franklin aircraft carrier, famous for being the hardest hit ship to survive World War II. His parents, now deceased, were John and Margaret Hamilton Sandifer of Ft. Worth. After the War, John married his fiance, Lucie Dourif, a French woman, with whom he raised five children in Greenwich, CT, and celebrated 61 years of marriage. He also attended Yale University and Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, receiving a degree in Architecture. For many years, he was associated with the design firm Carson Lundine & Shaw that prepared plans for many skyscrapers in New York City. He also received national recognition in 1950 for the design of his Greenwich home. His professional skills were utilized on behalf of his many friends and later in life, he devoted his time to renovating their ancient home in southwest France, called La Tourbeille. He is survived by his wife, Lucie Sandifer, now living in Paris, and his five children Henri Philippe of Guilford, CT; Michael of Greenwich, CT; Claire Tuttle of Paris; John of Paris; and Nicole Burnett of Durham, CT, as well as his sister, Laura McGown of Ft. Worth, TX. 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive him. Funeral services were handled by Pere Lachaise in Paris and a small family religious service was held at the Eglise Reformee du Port Royale in Paris on Friday, July 6. He will be interred on the families French property at a later date.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE1D8123AF93BA25754C0A9619C8B63

Fench Alonzo “Sandy” Sanderson, 72, of Virginia Beach, a retired master chief radioman, died Tuesday, June 7, 1994, at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, after a long illness.
Master Chief Sanderson was born in Dillon, S.C. He retired from active duty in 1979 after 34 years of distinguished service during which he received numerous awards and commendations including the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star and the Navy Achievement Medal. He was a survivor of the bombing of the USS Franklin in the Bay of Japan in 1945.

{REST} Following his naval career, he was a manpower analyst for Technology Management Corporation for eight years. He maintained membership at Bethany Baptist Church, Spartanburg, S.C., and was also a member of the Fleet Reserve Association.

Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, Marie; his brother, Lawton of Darlington, S.C.; his son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Sue Sanderson, and their daughters, Kate and Elizabeth of Norfolk; his daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Dan Mutty, and their children, Maria and Tom, of Portsmouth, R.I.; and his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Lyne Sanderson, and their sons, Phil and Gabriel of Nags Head.

Services will be held on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel. The family will remain after the service to greet friends. Burial will be on Monday at 2 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/940609/06090415.htm

Daffy Russell, legendary lacrosse coach, dies at 91
By MARY P. FELTER, Community News Editor

Charles Mason “Daffy” Russell Jr., a lifelong resident of Annapolis affectionately known as the father of Anne Arundel County lacrosse, died yesterday at a local seniors home.
Mr. Russell, 91, started his more than 60-year involvement with lacrosse in 1929 by founding the Annapolis High School lacrosse program while a senior. In 1950, he co-founded the St. Mary’s High School lacrosse program with Ed Coughlin. During his 40-year lacrosse and football coaching career, Mr. Russell won more than 200 games and had just two losing seasons.
“Daffy fathered two sons, but he raised thousands of the them,” said Del. Michael Busch, D-Annapolis, and one of Mr. Russell’s football players.
“If you could count wealth in the number of people on whom you’ve had a positive effect, Daffy was a very rich man.”
As a player, Mr. Russell was a standout goalie who competed well into until his 40s.
Mr. Russell received a number of awards during his career, including the Annapolis Touchdown Club award for excellence in coaching and citizenship, the Hero’s Lacrosse award as the Outstanding Maryland High School Coach and the Governor’s Award for Distinguished Coaching and Service.
In the 1980s, he was inducted into the Maryland Athletic Director’s Hall of Fame and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Born Aug. 12, 1910, in Annapolis, he was a multi-sport athlete.
During World War II, he enlisted in the Navy and was aboard the USS Franklin off the coast of Japan in 1945 when the ship suffered major damage in a bombing attack. He earned nine battle stars and a Purple Heart.
After the war he worked at the Engineering Experimental Station and transferred to the Naval Academy where he worked as a civilian. He retired from the Civil Service in 1967.
He then became head lacrosse coach and assistant football coach at St. Mary’s, where he became athletic director and physical education teacher.
He retired in 1980, but continued to coach part-time, retiring in 1988.
He was married in 1934 to Vada Russell who died in 1999. His son, John, died in an automobile accident in 1967.
Mr. Russell was living at Atria at Manresa Assisted Living on the Broadneck Peninsula at the time of his death.
Surviving are one son, Rusty Russell of Harwood; one sister, Virginia Russell of Edgewater; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Charles M. Russell Gym at St. Mary’s High School, 109 Duke of Gloucester St. A Mass of Christian burial will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with burial to follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Annapolis High School Athletic Department and the St. Mary’s High School Athletic Association.——
mfelter@capitalgazette.com http://www.laxswami.com/daffy.html

Arthur J. Robidoux, 81, of Buttonwoods Farm Road, died Friday, June 20, 2003, at his home. He was born in Southbridge, Mass., and had resided in Plaistow since 1948. He was a 1940 graduate of Charlton High School and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a machinist mate first class aboard the USS Franklin and the USS Albermarle.

Mr. Robidoux was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a rural carrier in the Plaistow post office and later was a bus driver for Timberlane Regional School District. He was an assistant baseball coach for the Plaistow Little League for many years and had served as the town’s building inspector. He was a member of Holy Angels Church in Plaistow and was a former member of the church choir. He was a member of C.V. 13, the Carl Davis Post of the American Legion of Plaistow, where he had served for several years as the service officer; a life member of the National Veteran of Foreign Wars; and the Holiday Ramblers RV Club of New Hampshire. He was an avid bowler and member of several area bowling leagues.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mildred B. (Lang) Robidoux; one son, Richard A. Robidoux and his companion, Cecilia Blake of Friendship, Maine; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Barbara A. Robidoux of Sante Fe., N.M., Louise F. and George Comeau of Plaistow, Deborah and Mario Pinheiro and Nancy M. and James “Phil” Murphy, all of Atkinson, nine grandchildren; two brothers, Armand Robidoux of Oviedo, Fla., and David Robidoux of Lakeside, Calif.; five sisters, Claire Sands of Meridian, Idaho, Mildred Silbaugh of Huron, Ohio, Muriel Horansky of Midlothian, Va., and Evelyn Burns and Dorothy Paul, both of Dudley, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday in Holy Angels Church, Plaistow. Burial was in Holy Angels Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, 25 Walker St., Concord, NH 03301 or to the American Lung Association, 9 Cedarwood Drive, Unit 12, Bedford, NH 03110.

Arrangements were by Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, Plaistow.
http://archive.seacoastonline.com/2003news/rock/06272003/obituari/36546.htm